Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn

Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ominous words under any circumstances, but all the more so when uttered by Emperor Palpatine. On Batuu, at the edges of the Unknown Regions, a threat to the Empire is taking root―its existence little more than a glimmer, its consequences as yet unknowable. But it is troubling enough to the Imperial leader to warrant investigation by his most powerful agents: ruthless enforcer Lord Darth Vader and brilliant strategist Grand Admiral Thrawn. Fierce rivals for the emperor’s favor, and outspoken adversaries on Imperial affairs―including the Death Star project―the formidable pair seem unlikely partners for such a crucial mission. But the Emperor knows it’s not the first time Vader and Thrawn have joined forces. And there’s more behind his royal command than either man suspects.

In what seems like a lifetime ago, General Anakin Skywalker of the Galactic Republic, and Commander Mitth’raw’nuruodo, officer of the Chiss Ascendancy, crossed paths for the first time. One on a desperate personal quest, the other with motives unknown . . . and undisclosed. But facing a gauntlet of dangers on a far-flung world, they forged an uneasy alliance―neither remotely aware of what their futures held in store.

Now, thrust together once more, they find themselves bound again for the planet where they once fought side by side. There they will be doubly challenged―by a test of their allegiance to the Empire . . . and an enemy that threatens even their combined might.


This is Timothy Zahn's follow-up to the 2017 book, STAR WARS: Thrawn.
Once again we are reunited with one of Star Wars' greatest creations, the tactically brilliant Grand Admiral Thrawn. In this novel Zahn teams Thrawn up with Star Wars greatest villain, Darth Vader. Sent on a mission by the Emperor, who feels a tremor in the Force, Vader and Thrawn travel to the edges of known space to the Planet of Batuu. It is here that we learn that both characters have visited the Planet before, a longtime ago, in a galaxy far, far away.

The story is split into two timelines, one strand in the past, the other in the present. The period set in the past takes us back to the Clone Wars, and reintroduces us to Padme. Padme receives information from a trusted friend that the Separatists are on Batuu, and travels to the far off Planet to investigate. After hearing nothing from her in a week or two, Anakin heads to Batuu, to find his wife. Upon his arrival he meets Thrawn for the first time, Thrawn is aware that Anakin is looking for someone and agrees to help him.

The part of the story set in the present, sees Thrawn and Vader travel to Batuu in order to search for the tremor in the Force that the Emperor has felt. On this trip the past is dug up, and for Vader especially, as he struggles to block out the thoughts and memories of Anakin Skywalker. The two however, soon uncover a potential new threat to the Empire in the form of the Grysk, a race of beings who have come from the unknown regions of space. Along the way, Vader and Thrawn clash several times, with the Sith Lord's patience tested on more than the odd occasion. However, the two eventually discover the root of the Emperor's tremor and work together to restore order to the distant edges of the Empire.

This is a very good and fast-paced story, with Vader and Thrawn written in the only way they need to be, by Zahn. The best parts of the story are the bits that focus on the imperials, the Anakin and Padme section of the book is very enjoyable, however I always find the most interesting stories in the Star Wars canon are those that have their focus within the imperial ranks. This is another great addition to canon and adds some much needed history to the Thrawn character as well as developing the relationship between two of the Emperor's most trusted and powerful servants. This is an excellent follow-up to the first Thrawn novel and I hope I can't wait for the next instalment of Thrawn, as I'm sure there will be one.

I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.